Wednesday, June 4, 2008

York's Signature Streets

This one is known as "the Shambles."It used to be a butcher's lane.It is an extreme (though apparently back then, more typical) example of the close-set nature of medieval houses as they jettied out further and further with each additional story.The idea is that medieval streets had width requirements but nobody kept a check on the air space above it, so you could get some more square footage from your house by building out and up. Neighbors in the opposite windows can literally shake hands across the way, I am told.

This is another characteristic York street, of the kind known as a "Snickelway."I may have written about these last year on my blog.They are charming, narrow, secretive, pedestrian-only passages that cut through building blocks and provide shortcuts.

About Me

I am a keen amateur photographer, an avid traveler, a dedicated researcher. My main area of interest is the European middle ages although I like history and culture, especially social history, of all eras and regions. I am especially fond of good architecture and I am really, really fond of reptiles.
I usually post this blog to share highlights from my travels with family and friends. If you are a potential friend wandering by, you are welcome; any of my art or nature images posted here are available for non profit personal or study use, and if reproduced I ask that I be credited as photographer.